Five things that make dogs anxious
Anxiety in dogs is usually brought on by some change in routine, environment or activity. Here are the top 5 things that attribute to anxiety in dogs:
Separation Anxiety. This stems from being separated from you or other regular caretakers. Likewise, your dog may fear abandonment or being alone that also stimulates stress.
Environmental Anxiety. These stressors stem from a fear of leaving the house or to a specific location [crate/cage, methods of travel] This can also be triggered by loud noises such as thunderstorms or fireworks.
Social Anxiety. This is generated when confronted unfamiliar people, children, or other pets and animals.
Trauma Induced Anxiety. These are situations and things that stimulate anxiety responses from a dog due to past traumatic experiences. This is common in dogs who have experienced abuse or neglect.
Generalized Anxiety. This often appears “out of the blue” with no known cause or trigger from any of the above mentioned.
Your dogs body language will be your best indicator of anxiety and or stress. Look for:
Panting
Pacing / Restlessness
Barking / Whining
Ears Back / Tail Tucked
Shaking / Trembling
Changes to eating and drinking habits
Aggression
Destructive Behaviour
Seeking an Escape [Fight or Flight]
If these are reoccurring behaviors in your dog, they’re likely anxious. After observing and reflecting on individualized triggers for your dog, you will be able to generate, or seek help in establishing, targeted solutions to help your dog with their anxiety.
